The Lusty Men

Occasionally a bit corny but thankfully it's just a few side characters that show up saprringly. For the most part this a very good movie with three very strong leads and a well executed story. Even in black and white Ray manages to make the film feel vibrant and full of colour.

Louise’s character is the key to this whole film - funny, in a film with this title, the strength of the central female lead shines brightest. I also love the docu-style exhibition of the rodeo in place of standard expository dialogue. Best experience with a Ray film thus far.

A well made picture about the rodeo with real human beings in it. Robert Mitchum and Arthur Kennedy are very good (as usual), and Susan Hayward is very good too.

740

Definitely my favourite Nicholas Ray film (despite my feelings about rodeos and animal mistreatment). Ray is a master at portraying conflicted characters and this is no exception. Some of the most nuanced, multi-faceted characterisation I've ever encountered in a film from this era, particularly from Robert Mitchum (his best ever performance perhaps?) and Susan Hayward.

For one thing, it's got one of Mitchum's best performances, plus additional good performances from Arthur Kennedy and Susan Hayward. And it's got a screenplay, that despite being made up as the crew went along, is really sharp. Ray uses the rodeo - which is filmed nicely, in an engaging way despite my complete lack of interest in rodeo - to convey a deeper meaning.

# 743

Ray is the best.

Fear and glory wrapped in Americana. Robert Mitchum w/ one of the coolest performances I've ever seen. "Calf ropin, steer tyin, bulldoggin, bear backin, and saddle throwin(?). Everything but ladies trick ridin."

The bulls and broncos always go so easy on Wes, but maybe he just has a way with them. The ending is predictable but well executed, except that Jeff’s accident didn’t look that dangerous. I thought a broken ankle

Star Rating: ★★★★1/2

87.50

"The Lusty Men" provided Robert Mitchum one of his best roles with compelling interactions with Susan Hayward.

I had never considered spending two hours watching rodeo before, yet somehow the storyline with all the ropin' and ridin' -- even with a mostly-predictable love triangle -- was oddly captivating. Hayward really shines and Mitchum and Kennedy hold up their end of the bargain too.

watched: 2011, 2015

Ray balances everything beautifully, and the film has a satisfying fullness to it, not a single scene feels superfluous. Robert Mitchum, Susan Hayward and Arthur Kennedy have a good chemistry together, and bring the sparkling dialogue to life. I've never had the slightest interest in rodeo before, but the events are explained so deftly and shot so wonderfully that I found myself quite engaged in the action. Maybe not the most sophisticated film, but one that hits on all cylinders.

This films many wrongs warrant it a score lower than what I have given it, but, as with most old westerns, an exception is at hand. This specific type of western consisting of big dreams within lives isolated from today's complexity and knowledge gives the best insight in what life without the internet or television entailed. The technology marketed here, leaving the protaganists in awe, is a trailer. A trailer. Best watched when you feel a bit sick.

A well-told story with superior acting from the three leads. Kennedy's performance is the standout for me.

A more mature, multi-faceted and morally ambiguous drama than most of what you're likely to find in Hollywood's so-called "Golden Age". Arthur Kennedy's Wes is the ostensible main protagonist, but Mitchum and Hayward steal the show - not only through their strong personalities as actors but because their characters are more interesting. I was particularly impressed with Louise (Hayward), a housewife, but so much more assertive, independent and conflicted than Hollywood heroines tend to be.

760

Very solid melodrama built around the world of rodeo. I'm not always a huge Mitchum person--he is hit or miss for me, but he's particularly perfect for this role and plays it perfectly as well. Arthur Kennedy and Susan Hayward are also good. The characterization is often deeper than you might find in some westerns of this period, or most films in general of this period. The story is somewhat predictable and nothing special, but it's just a solid movie.

Complex characterization with a slow-boiling tension that threatens, but never quite explodes. I predicted the ending a good while before it came along, and even if it feels a little neat, it ties off the proceedings nicely.

#788